A Falmouth-based Police Community Support Officer has received a special invitation to the wedding celebrations of Prince Harry and Megan Markle.

PCSO Ellie Grey thought someone was playing a joke on her when she received the invitation from the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE through her letterbox at home.

Ellie said: “I thought it was a joke and when I showed my inspector he was none the wiser. I even rang Mr Bolitho to check! “At the bottom of the letter Colonel Bolitho had hand written a personal note to Ellie thanking her for her ‘inspirational work in Falmouth’.

The letter says she was nominated by the Cornwall Lieutenancy to share in some of the wedding day celebrations at Windsor Castle on 19 May. She is part of a group of 1,200 members of the public from across the country who were nominated on the strength of their contribution to their local community and Ellie’s work with the police cadets, her Cop Car initiative and engagement with youth and local community groups has been recognised.

She said: “I don’t know why I was singled out, it is really heart-warming to be recognised like this – lots of colleagues deserve it just as much. It is a real privilege and I feel very honoured. A friend has lent me a wedding outfit and we are being encouraged to take a picnic to enjoy as we watch the ceremony on the big screen before we watch the Royal procession and guests leave for the reception. I just hope the weather is good, I don’t want to have to turn up in my wellies!”

Ellie can enter the grounds of Windsor Castle, between 8am and 9.45 am to watch the arrival of guests, listen to a live broadcast of the wedding and view the departure of the bride and groom’s carriage procession.